Can someone please explain this question to me, i am not sure if i am right but i think the answer is 2?
How many of the following elements have 2 unpaired electrons in the ground state?
how many of the following elements have 2 unpaired electrons in the ground state? C, O, Ti, Si
a) 1
b) 3
c) 4
d) 2
I don't agree with 2.
Here is how I did the one for C.
6C = 1s2 2s2 2p2 The two p electrons are unpaired.
8O = 1s2 2s2 2p4. The 2p can hold 6 electrons. We fill the 3 orbitals with electrons and the fourth one must pair; therefore, that leavs two unpaired electrons.
Now you do Ti and Si the same way.
To determine the number of elements that have 2 unpaired electrons in the ground state, we need to examine the electron configurations of each element.
Let's consider each element mentioned:
1. Carbon (C): The atomic number of carbon is 6. The electron configuration of carbon is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2, meaning it has 2 unpaired electrons.
2. Oxygen (O): The atomic number of oxygen is 8. The electron configuration of oxygen is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4, meaning it has 2 unpaired electrons.
3. Titanium (Ti): The atomic number of titanium is 22. The electron configuration of titanium is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^2, meaning it has 2 unpaired electrons.
4. Silicon (Si): The atomic number of silicon is 14. The electron configuration of silicon is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2, meaning it also has 2 unpaired electrons.
So, out of the four elements mentioned, all of them (C, O, Ti, Si) have 2 unpaired electrons in the ground state.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) 4.